Oakland Avenue

Overview

The Oakland Avenue neighborhood, which is also referred to as Harrison Street-Oakland Avenue, borders Pill Hill and is populated with hospitals, doctor's offices, and pharmacies. The western end is Bay Place, while Harrison Street makes up the southern border. West MacArthur Boulevard and Interstate 580 are on the eastern edge. The neighborhood is known for its abundant trees that burst out in bold arrays of color every fall.

Amenities

This community has numerous amenities available for residents to enjoy.

Homes

Oakland Avenue is a community filled with various home designs.

Where to Live

Oakland Avenue is one of Oakland's smaller neighborhoods. It is filled with collections of single and multi-family homes and condos. Many homes date back to the 1940s and 1950s, providing a bit of nostalgic charm. Some vintage apartments have been totally refurbished and sold as condos, and they often display a mix of modern and old styles. Most commercial properties are along Broadway, Harrison, and Bay Place. Residential areas tend to be on the southern end of the neighborhood, but exceptions do exist. The Harrison end is also a bit quieter because it's farther away from the bustling hospital zone.

Where to Eat

Most restaurants and bars are found outside of the neighborhood. One notable exception is the 3KB Sports Bar on Broadway, considered one of the best in the city. Bars, pubs, and restaurants dot Broadway as the street heads south to the downtown core, roughly a mile away. Head east on Piedmont Avenue and you'll find Fenton's, a classic ice cream shop dating back to 1894. The vintage shop still makes its own ice cream and sweet treats. There is an organic grocery store on Bay Place, which is perfect for those who like to buy locally and cook their own meals at home.

What You'll See

Like many Oakland neighborhoods, this one also has its collection of murals. Walk under the elevated portions of Interstate 580 and you might see some artwork with life-sized giraffe images. The Cat Town Cafe also features multi-colored cats acting like Bay Area tourists. Car aficionados can check out Broadway's Auto Row that begins on the northeastern edge of Oakland Avenue. Be on the lookout for the Taqueria Barajitas, a taco truck that sets up shop along this busy street in the neighborhood. If you enjoy strolling the tree-lined streets, you're likely to see a raccoon or two so keep an eye out, especially if you happen to be munching on a snack during on your walk.

Friday Night Fun

The 3KB Sports Bar is a good choice if you want a night out but prefer to stay close to home. If you love going to the theater for live shows or movies, you have three venues within a two-mile radius. The New Parkway Theater is just off Broadway and offers movies in a relaxed living room setting. The famed Paramount Theater in all of its 1931 Art Deco splendor, is a few blocks farther west. The Grand Lake, opening in 1926, is the oldest of the bunch. Originally built for silent movies and vaudeville shows, the renovated space now shows first-run movies. The vintage Wurlitzer organ is played between movie showings on most Friday and Saturday nights.

The Perfect Sunday

Since Bay Place is less than half a mile from Lakeside Park, this is a favorite Sunday hangout for many Oakland Avenue residents. Cycle or walk from the neighborhood and then take to the path that circles Lake Merritt. On your journey, you'll go past the Lake Merritt Wildlife Sanctuary, the Lake Merritt Boating Center, and the Bonsai Garden. Pack a picnic lunch and dine at the waterside Lake Chalet, which is a converted boathouse. You can also head roughly a mile south to Chinatown for some Asian fare and perhaps a bit of shopping.